Overview

• A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai heard challenges from NHAI and Guruvayoor Infrastructure to the Kerala High Court’s August 6 suspension of tolls at Paliyekkara on NH‑544.
• Pointing to a weekend gridlock lasting about 12 hours on the 65‑km Edappally–Mannuthy stretch, the court asked why users should pay the ₹150 toll and raised the prospect of compensation for wasted fuel and time.
• Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the jam followed an overturned lorry and monsoon‑hit works, but Justice K. Vinod Chandran rejected an “act of God” defence, saying the truck toppled after hitting a pothole.
• The bench indicated that proportionate toll reductions would not address such extreme delays, noting the drive should take roughly an hour even with traffic.
• Guruvayoor Infrastructure blamed third‑party underpass works by PSG Engineering for bottlenecks and cited ₹5–6 crore in losses over 10 days, as CPI(M) warned of blockades at NHAI officials’ homes if the crisis is not resolved by August 21.